Apparatus for positioning logs

Abstract

An apparatus to drag logs to a log splitter from locations distant from the log splitter to locations near the log splitter, and then to assist with lifting logs for placement on the log splitter, comprises generally a mast-and-boom assembly with a first mount point and first pulley, and a second mount point and second pulley at a height below said first mount point and first pulley, a winch, and a cable attached a one end to said winch, threaded through said first pulley and said second pulley, and connectable at the other end to a log via a connection means, said apparatus being suitable for integration with a log splitter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for dragging logs to a log splitter, said apparatus comprising a log splitter comprising a main frame, a main mast support detachably attached to said main frame, a main mast connected to said main mast support, a boom support connected to said main mast, a boom arm connected to said boom support, a winch directly connected to at least one of said boom arm and said boom support, a first mount point connected to said boom arm at a first height, a first pulley connected to said first mount point, a second mount point connected to said apparatus at a second height lower than said first height, a second pulley comprising a detachable attachment means comprising one or more of a hook, a ring, a clamp, or a carabiner, said detachable attachment means detachably attached to said second mount point, and a cable operatively connected to said winch and threaded through said first pulley and said second pulley, said cable comprising at one end a connection means such that when said cable is connected by said connection means to a log at a first position remote from said apparatus and said winch is actuated to intake said cable, said log is dragged from said first location to a second location proximate to said apparatus. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said boom arm is connected rotatably to said main mast. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a boom control operatively connected to at least one of said main mast and said boom support. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source operatively connected to said winch. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said power source is at least one of: a dedicated battery, a non-dedicated battery, an inverter, a generator, or an electrical outlet. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a winch control operatively connected to said winch. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , in which said log splitter comprises at least one of a horizontal log splitter, a horizontal-to vertical log splitter, or a two-way wedge log splitter. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of at least one of said main mast, said main mast support, or said main frame comprises said second mount point. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first mount point and said first pulley are positioned with respect to said second mount point and said second pulley such that when said cable is threaded through said first pulley and said second pulley, said connection means is connected to a log at a first location, and said winch is actuated to intake said cable, a portion of said cable adjacent to said first mount point remains substantially perpendicular to said boom arm. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said boom arm is rotatable with respect to said main mast, and further comprising a winch control operatively connected to said winch, wherein when said cable is connected by said connection means to a log located at said first location and said winch is actuated by said winch control to intake said cable, said log is dragged from said first location remote from a log splitter to said second location and is then lifted from the ground, and wherein further said winch can be actuated by said winch control to cease intake of said cable when said log is positioned at a height suitable for manually positioning said log on said apparatus for splitting said log using said apparatus. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus for dragging logs to a log splitter, said apparatus comprising a log splitter with main frame, a main mast support removably connected to said main frame, a main mast connected to said main mast support, a boom support connected to said main mast, a boom arm connected to said boom support, a winch directly connected to at least one of said boom arm and said boom support, a first mount point connected to said boom arm at a first height, a first pulley connected to said first mount point, a second mount point connected to said apparatus at a second height located below said first height, a second pulley comprising a detachable attachment means comprising one or more of a hook, a ring, a clamp, or a carabiner, detachably attached to said apparatus by said detachable attachment means at a height located below said first height and at a location other than said second mount point, and a cable operatively connected to said winch and threaded through said first pulley and said second pulley, said cable comprising a one end a connection means, such that when said cable is connected by said connection means to a log located at a second location proximate to said apparatus and said winch is actuated to intake said cable, said log is lifted from said second location to a height suitable for positioning said log for splitting on said log splitter. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said second mount point is comprised of a portion of at least one of said main mast, said main mast support, or said main frame. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said connection means comprises at least one of a hook, a threaded connection, a rope, a strap, a chain, and a clevis. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said second pulley is disconnected from said apparatus after said log is dragged from said first location to said second location and prior to said log being lifted to a height suitable for positioning said log for splitting on said log splitter. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said connection means comprises at least one of a hook, a threaded connection, a rope, a strap, a chain, and a clevis.